With the weather warming up, farmers have begun getting their fields ready for spring planting, according to Purdue Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator Phil Woolery. “Farmers are starting to do a little bit of field work, if they’re doing some tillage,” he says. “Ones that use cover crops, they’re going to be looking for an opportunity, when the weather gets right, for terminating those and then for planting.”
He doesn’t expect many lingering effects from this winter’s extremely cold temperatures, but peach trees may be an exception. “The flower buds can freeze off, so there’s possibly some damage to woody plants like that,” Woolery explains. “For the most part, trees and shrubs would be pretty dormant and they’re able to handle those temperatures. But some things like peaches – is what I can think of, around here – that you might not have any peaches. I’m not anticipating having any peaches this year.”
Woolery says it’s a good time to prune fruit trees to balance the amount of flowering and get good air circulation, which, in turn, can prevent disease development.
For homeowners, Woolery says it’s about time to start preparing gardens. “We’re probably warm enough and if the soil’s right, if your garden’s not too wet, you could be planting some of the cool-season crops, like peas and onions, broccoli, and some of those things,” he says. “They can take a late frost. Radishes and lettuce are other cool-season ones.” Warm-season crops, like peppers and tomatoes, can be started indoors.
